Fencing Mask

ABSTRACT

A fencing mask having a front metal mesh portion, a bib portion extending from a lower portion of the front metal mesh portion, and a securing portion extending from the front metal mesh portion for securing the mask on a user. The securing portion is made up of at least two spaced apart elements that define a gap therebetween for accommodating a user&#39;s ponytail.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved protective head gear foruse in the sport of fencing. In particular, the present invention is afencing mask that can accommodate a user's ponytail.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fencing is a popular sport throughout the world. A fencer wears a set ofprotective gear to protect him/herself from the weapon, i.e. the sword.As part of the protective gear is a fencing mask that protects theuser's head and neck. Prior art fencing mask typically includes a frontmetal mesh portion that protects the user's head, a bib portion thatextends from the lower portion of the front metal mesh portion thatprotects the user's neck, and a flap portion that extends from the topportion of the front metal mesh portion towards the rear for securingthe fencing mask to the user's head. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No.2,362,597. In order to secure the fencing mask to the user's head, theflap portion is bent at a downward angle to abut the back of the user'shead.

Another type of prior art fencing mask uses a disk shape member held bya plurality of elastic straps instead of a flap portion to hold thefencing mask to the user's head. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No.6,820,286. The disk shape member abuts the back of the user's head.

Prior art fencing mask is unable to conveniently accommodate a user whostyles his/her hair in a ponytail at the back of the user's head becausethe single large flap portion or the disk shape member abuts the back ofthe user's head where a ponytail is typically positioned. In order touse the prior art fencing masks, a user would have to forego stylinghis/her hair in a ponytail.

Therefore, there is a need for fencing mask that can accommodate auser's ponytail at the back of his/her head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a fencing mask that can accommodate auser's ponytail at the back of the user's head.

The fencing mask of the present invention includes a front metal meshportion, a bib portion extending from a lower portion of the front metalmesh portion, and a securing portion extending from the front metal meshportion for securing the mask on a user. The securing portion is formedfrom at least two spaced apart extension elements that define a gaptherebetween for accommodating a user's ponytail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been chosen forpurposes of illustration and description and are shown in theaccompanying drawings forming a part of the specification wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fencing mask of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the fencing maskof the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fencing mask of FIG. 1 with anelastic strap.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the fencing mask of FIG. 2 with anelastic strap.

FIGS. 5A to 5C are rear views of various embodiments of the extensionelements of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the fencing maskof the present invention with the extension element mounted on elasticstraps.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings, wherein the same reference numberindicates the same element throughout, there is shown in FIG. 1 afencing mask 10 of the present invention comprises a front metal meshportion 20, a bib portion 40, and a securing portion 60.

The front metal mesh portion 20 forms a generally dome shape, stiff,cavity 21 for enclosing a user's face and sides of the head. The frontmetal mesh portion 20 may have various shapes and sizes to accommodatedifferent users' heads. The material used for the front metal meshportion 20 may be steel or other materials known to one skilled in theart.

The bib portion 40 extends from a lower portion 22 of the front metalmesh portion 20 for covering a user's neck. The bib portion 40 may havevarious shapes and length to accommodate different users. The materialused for the bib portion 40 may be reinforced fabric, a metallic fabricor other materials known to one skilled in the art.

The securing portion 60 extends from a top portion 24 of the front metalmesh portion 20 for securing the fencing mask 10 to the user's head. Thesecuring portion 60 includes a main portion 61 and a pair of extensionelements 64 a and 64 b extending from the main portion 61.

The main portion 61 is mounted to the top portion 24 of the front metalmesh portion 20 by rivets 62 or other secured fastening means known toone skilled in the art. The extension elements 64 a and 64 b extend awayfrom the front metal mesh portion 20 and when in use, are bent at adownward angle as shown. The extension elements 64 a and 64 b define anelongated gap 66 therebetween to accommodate a user's ponytail.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fencing mask 11 of the present invention has asecuring portion 61 that includes two distinct flap elements 68 a and 68b. One end of each flap elements 68 a and 68 b is mounted to the topportion 24 of the front metal mesh portion 20 by rivets 62 or othersecured fastening means known to one skilled in the art. The other endof the flap elements 68 a and 68 b extend away from the front metal meshportion 20 and when in use, are bent at a downward angle as shown. Theflap elements 68 a and 68 b define an elongated gap 66 therebetween toaccommodate a user's ponytail.

FIG. 3 shows a fencing mask 13 that is identical to fencing mask 10 asshown in FIG. 1 except that it further includes an elastic strap 30. Theelastic strap 30 extends horizontally across the cavity 21 from the leftside to the right side of the front metal mesh portion 20 to aid insecuring the fencing mask 13 to a user's head. A user's ponytail may beaccommodated above the strap 30 and between the extension elements 64 aand 64 b. While only one strap 30 is shown in FIG. 3, more straps can beused to further aid in securing the fencing mask 13 to the user.Further, while the strap 30 is shown to be positioned horizontally, thestrap 30 may also be positioned diagonally at any angle.

FIG. 4 shows a fencing mask 15 that is identical to fencing mask 11 asshown in FIG. 2 except that it further includes an elastic strap 30,similar to that of FIG. 3 and as described in connection with FIG. 3.

While the extension elements 64 a and 64 b and flap elements 68 a and 68b in FIGS. 1 to 4 are shown to be generally rectangular in shape, othershapes and sizes that can hold the fencing masks 10, 11, 13 or 15 inposition can be used. Further, while the extension elements 64 a and 64b and flap elements 68 a and 68 b are shown in pairs and to be generallyparallel and symmetric to a vertical axis, it is not necessarily so.FIGS. 5A to 5C illustrate variations of the extension elements 70 a and70 b, 72 a to 72 d, and 74 a and 74 b, having different numbers, shapesand configurations. The numbers, shapes and configurations of theextension elements shown in FIGS. 5A and 5C can similarly be that of theflap elements.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the fencing mask 17 having a securingportion 80 that includes a plurality of elastic straps 81 a, 81 b, 81 cand a holding element 83. The holding element 83 has a substantiallyupside down U-shape configuration with two integral arms 84 a, 84 bdefining a gap 86 therebetween to accommodate a user's ponytail. Theholding element 83 has a plurality of slots 85 a, 85 b, 85 c to receiveand secure the plurality of elastic straps 81 a, 81 b and 81 c thereonby means known to one skilled in the art. The holding element 83 issecured to the front metal mesh portion 20 at the top portion 24, at theleft side and at the right side with straps 81 b, 81a and 81 c,respectively, by means known to one skilled in the art.

The features of the invention illustrated and described herein are thepreferred embodiments. Therefore, it is understood that thespecification is intended to cover unforeseeable embodiments withinsubstantial differences that are within the spirit of thespecification.

What I claim is:
 1. A fencing mask comprising: a front metal meshportion having a lower portion and a vertical axis of symmetry; a bibportion extending from the lower portion of said front metal meshportion; and a securing portion extending from said front metal meshportion for securing the mask on a user; wherein said securing portioncomprising at least two elements defining a gap at the vertical axis ofsymmetry for accommodating a user's ponytail.
 2. The fencing mask ofclaim 1 wherein said front metal mesh portion further having a topportion, and said securing portion further comprises: a main portionextending from said top portion of said front metal mesh portion; and atleast two extension elements extending from said main portion definingsaid gap; wherein said extension elements are bent at a downward angletowards said lower portion of the front metal mesh portion to abut theback of a user's head.
 3. The fencing mask of claim 1 wherein said frontmetal mesh portion further having a top portion, said securing portionfurther comprises: at least two flap elements, each extending from saidtop portion of said front metal mesh portion, defining said gap; whereinsaid flap elements are bent at a downward angle towards said lowerportion of the front metal mesh portion to abut the back of a user'shead.
 4. The fencing mask of claim 1 wherein said front metal meshportion further having a left side and a right side, said securingportion further comprises: at least one elastic strap extending acrosssaid left and right sides.
 5. The fencing mask of claim 1 wherein one ofsaid element has a generally rectangular shape.
 6. The fencing mask ofclaim 1 wherein said at least two elements are symmetrically shaped andpositioned with respect to the vertical axis of symmetry.
 7. The fencingmask of claim 1 wherein said at least two elements are not symmetricallyshaped nor positioned with respect to the vertical axis of symmetry. 8.The fencing mask of claim 1 wherein said securing portion furthercomprises: a holding element having a substantially upside down U-shapeconfiguration with two integral arms defining said gap; a plurality ofstraps attaching said holding element to said front metal mesh portion.9. The fencing mask of claim 8 wherein said front metal mesh portionfurther having a top portion, a left side and a right side, and saidplurality of straps attaching said holding element to said top portion,said left side and said right side of said front metal mesh portion. 10.The fencing mask of claim 8 wherein said holding element further havinga plurality of slots for receiving and securing said plurality ofstraps.